[[Image:EDTA with ligand.png|right|thumb|200px|'''EDTA''' (black) with coordinate bonds to a metal ion (red)]]

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'''EDTA''' stands for '''ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid'''. It chelates divalent cations and is therefore used in many buffers. Its relative [[EGTA]] has a higher affinity for calcium than for magnesium ions.

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==Purpose==

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*EDTA is a synthetic amino acid and chelating agent for divalent metals.

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*Most enzymes that synthesize or modify nucleic acids (e.g. polymerases, ligases, kinases, nucleases) are Mg<sup>2+</sup>-dependent. The addition of EDTA is a convenient way to stop these reactions.

*Most enzymes that synthesize or modify nucleic acids (e.g. polymerases, ligases, kinases, nucleases) are Mg<sup>2+</sup>-dependent. The addition of EDTA is a convenient way to stop these reactions.

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*[http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/edta/edtah.htm Here's] a great page about EDTA, including [http://www.cem.msu.edu/~cem333/EDTATable.html formation constant] (K<sub>f</sub>) values for metal-EDTA complexes. Note that many heavy metal ions (like Fe<sup>3+</sup>, Co<sup>2+</sup>, and Zn<sup>2+</sup>) are chelated much more strongly than Mg<sup>2+</sup>. A little bit of EDTA in your reaction will go a long way to keep these evildoers out of trouble and away from your precious biomolecules without interfering with your Mg<sup>2+</sup>-dependent reactions.

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*EDTA is a component of many buffers used to store DNA, such as [[TE buffer]], where the EDTA removes the metal cofactors (typically Mg<sup>++</sup> required for activity of DNAses and other DNA damaging enzymes.

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*[http://www.vrp.com/art/963.asp Here's] another article that speaks of the wonders of EDTA and how it can help treat Aunt Edna's cardiovascular disease, enhance your enjoyment of the Friday night happy hour, and act as a "get out of jail free" card.

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==Procurement==

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*Usually sold as the disodium salt (CAS 6381-92-6) (Sigma E1644).

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==Use==

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*Molecular Weight, disodium salt dihydrate: 372.24

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*EDTA is essentially insoluble in water, and will only dissolve when neutralized with sodium hydroxide to a pH = 8.0

*[http://www.vrp.com/art/963.asp Here's] an article that speaks of the wonders of EDTA and how it can help treat Aunt Edna's cardiovascular disease, enhance your enjoyment of the Friday night happy hour, and act as a "get out of jail free" card.

*EDTA can prolong the life of your [http://www.deathstar.org/~flash/edta.html motorcycle battery]!

*EDTA can prolong the life of your [http://www.deathstar.org/~flash/edta.html motorcycle battery]!

*[http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/edta/edtah.htm Here's] a great page about EDTA, including [http://www.cem.msu.edu/~cem333/EDTATable.html formation constant] (K<sub>f</sub>) values for metal-EDTA complexes. Note that many heavy metal ions (like Fe<sup>3+</sup>, Co<sup>2+</sup>, and Zn<sup>2+</sup>) are chelated much more strongly than Mg<sup>2+</sup>. A little bit of EDTA in your reaction will go a long way to keep these evildoers out of trouble and away from your precious biomolecules without interfering with your Mg<sup>2+</sup>-dependent reactions.

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[[Category:Material]] [[Category:Chemical]]

Current revision

chemical structure of EDTA - ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid

EDTA (black) with coordinate bonds to a metal ion (red)

EDTA stands for ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid. It chelates divalent cations and is therefore used in many buffers. Its relative EGTA has a higher affinity for calcium than for magnesium ions.

0.5 M EDTA stock

0.5M 500ml pH 8.0 with NaOH pre-calculated

Storage and stability

store at room temperature

stable for years

Interesting facts

Here's an article that speaks of the wonders of EDTA and how it can help treat Aunt Edna's cardiovascular disease, enhance your enjoyment of the Friday night happy hour, and act as a "get out of jail free" card.

Safety

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References

Here's a great page about EDTA, including formation constant (Kf) values for metal-EDTA complexes. Note that many heavy metal ions (like Fe3+, Co2+, and Zn2+) are chelated much more strongly than Mg2+. A little bit of EDTA in your reaction will go a long way to keep these evildoers out of trouble and away from your precious biomolecules without interfering with your Mg2+-dependent reactions.